Delaware County, Pennsylvania Real Estate Blog

Packing, Moving and Procrastination.... Hmmm Not a Good Mix

Procrastination is the state of putting things off, often to the last minute.  Some people claim it is energizing to put things off to the last minute:  "I work best under pressure" or "I need a deadline, it's the only way I get things done".  Well if you have lived in a house for a number of years and you are like most people, you have acquired things that may be tucked away in closets or under beds or in the garage. They are things that have to be moved out of your house before settlement.

When the time comes for you to actually start packing all your things, you may be surprised at how much your current living space actually holds.  Most people tend to save things or have hobbies that bring more things into the house: compound that with a tendency to procrastinate and you may become overwhelmed with packing before a major move. 

Often time runs out as the settlement date quickly approaches and good things end up in the dumpster because there just isn't enough time left to get it all done.  Good things that could have been donated to a needy charity or packed away a few weeks before that could have made it to your new home.

If you know you are a procrastinator and you do not have the extra money to hire a packer, do yourself a big favor, solicit a friend or family member to help you stay focused on packing.  Ask them to check in with you on a weekly basis once you have made the decision to move. 

Have a goal of packing a minimum of one box a week or donate one bag of goods to a local charity a week.  Start this as soon as you put your house on the market or you start your search for a new home. Doing just one box a week from the start can make a big difference once you are a week away from settlement.

Be good to yourself.

Packing, Moving and Procrastination.... Hmmm Not a Good Mix

Making a Real Estate Transition As a Senior (55 Plus Years)

Making a decision to move into a 55 Plus community or to downsize is not an easy decision for many people. Often this transition occurs because something happens in a person's life that makes them seriously reconsider their present living situation, and often in a rushed fashion.  The better scenario would be to make the change when you are not pressured and you are excited about a change in where you will be living next.

Recognition and acceptance of the aging process is the key here.  Caring for the same house you purchased many years ago at a much younger age may not be the best place to live in your retirement years.  Your home may become a burden and over time you may suffer with wondering how to keep up with all the maintenance that keeps your house a healthy asset.

Take stock of what you want as you get older and really be good to yourself.  Make a decision that takes into account that you will be slowing down over time: steps may become a chore to climb, preparing a room for your visiting children and grandchildren on the second floor may be too much to handle at short notice, yard care may become overwhelming. 

Is being tied to a house that needs the energy level of your earlier years really looking out for yourself as you enter into your retirement years?

As we work with people who make this decision and go forward with this change, we are often told that it was the best thing they could have done for themselves.  Not only are they freed up to do more activities with friends and family, and to enjoy more of their time, they are reminded of their good decision when the winters dump their piles of snow and ice, and the rains in spring makes the grass grow like weeds. 

Our clients are great role models and I only hope that I can care for myself as I have witnessed other people care for themselves as they approach the Age of Wisdom.

(Written by Gloria)